Cardboard display device



Nov. 16, 1937. J. v. HORR CARDBOARD DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Dec. 30, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR, Herr,

John V Nov. 16, 1937. J. v. HORR 2,099,015

CARDBOARD DI SPLAY DEVI CE Filed Dec. 30, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 16, 1937. J. v. HORR CARDBOARD DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Dec. 50, 19 36 3 Sheets-Sheet a wink VH INVENTOR.

ATT

Patented Nov. 16, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARDBOARD DISPLAY DEVICE Application December 30, 1936, Serial No. 118,193

19 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to display devices, and has particular reference to an improved collapsible cardboard display device.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide a simplified cardboard display device, for use in store windows, on counters, and the like, whereby a series of commodities may be depicted in an attractive pyramidal arrangement.

For purposes of illustration, I shall hereinafter describe my present invention in connection with a device intended to depict a plurality of bottles, but it will be understood that the invention is by no means restricted to this specific type of commodity.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide a device which will be of enhanced attractive appearance and of improved attentionarresting qualities. With this object in View, I have provided a device which depicts a series of commodities, not in the conventional uninteresting parallel relationship, but rather in a unique and somewhat haphazard pyramidal arrangement.

A further object of the invention is to accomplish the desired objective by means of a device Which is not only extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture, but which is so constructed and arranged that it may be conveniently and expeditiously collapsed into a substantially fiat condition for purposes of storage and shipment.

One of the features of my invention lies in the provision of an arrangement whereby the device may be adjusted from collapsed to set-up condition, and vice versa, without the necessity for any time-consuming or annoying manipulations or adjustments involving tab engagements and disengagements, etc.

My invention is characterized by, the employment of a minimum number of cardboard elements, each of which is extremely simple and inexpensive to produce on a commercial scale; and by the association of these elements in a manner which requires a minimum amount of assembly labor.

One preferred construction consists of only four cardboard elements, each capable of production from a single flat blank. One of the elements is a backing, and each of the others is a display card of particular characteristics.

In accordance with my invention, one of the display cards is a single-section card and depicts a single commodity such as a bottle; an other display card has two hinged sections defining a V-shaped cross-section and depicting two such commodities, side by side; and the third display card has four hinged sections defining an M-shaped cross-section and depicting four such commodities, side by side.

In another preferred construction an addi- 5' tional cardboard element is used, making a total of five. One of the elements is a single-section display card; another is a two-section card; another is a four-section card; and another is a six-section card; these four display cards being 10.

interconnected and supported as a collapsible unit by a cardboard backing element.

The backing is uniquely shaped from a single blank in a manner enabling it to support the display cards in an unusually attractive and eye-arresting relationship.

In one embodiment, the backing has a medial panel and wing portions hinged thereto, the collapsing of the device being accomplished by bringing all of the cardboard elements into super- 20 posed relationship substantially parallel to the medial panel.

In another embodiment, the backing has a medial vertical hinge, thereby defining an inverted-V cross-section, and the collapsing may be accomplished either in the manner mentioned in the preceding paragraph or by bringing all the sections of the display cards into superposed parallel relationship.

Optionally, the backing may in either case be provided with a horizontal hinge so arranged as to permit the device to be folded upon itself, when it is collapsed, thereby facilitating the matter of shipment and storage.

I achieve the foregoing objects, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of display device constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the same in set-up condition;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional View on an enlarged scale, taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is.a cross-sectional View taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view similar to. Figure 3, showing the device in process of being collapsed;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the backing 5 by itself;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1, showlng a modified construction;

Figure '7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 'l---'! of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 88 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a view of the backing by itself;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the structure of Figure 6;

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken in the same direction as Figure '7, showing one manner of collapsing the structure;

Figure 12 is a plan view similar to Figure 10, showing another manner of collapsing the structure;

Figure 13 is a View similar to Figure 2, illustrating a modification of the structure of Figure 2; and

Figure 14 shows the manner'of collapsing the structure of Figure 13.

I will first describe the cardboard backing shown in Figure 5. An integral cardboard blank of suitable quality and strength is cut and shaped to define a vertical, medial panel ID of substantially rectangular shape and preferably, though not necessarily, having the enlarged upper portion ll. Hingedly connected to the lower portion of the panel ID are the lateral wings [2, each of which is substantially rectangular in shape. Similarly extending in hinged relationship from the midpo-rtion of the panel I!) are the shorter wings l3, each of which is again of substantially rectangular configuration. Each wing I2 is preferably integrally connected to the adjacent wing I 3. At the free lateral edges of the wings I3 tabs I 4 are hingedly formed and bent forwardly to expose their rear surface.

The display cards consist first of the display card l5, which is a single-section blank of suitable cardboard stock and which may be contoured to depict a desired commodity, such as a bottle. The second display card I6 is of V- shaped cross-section, consisting of two sections hingedly connected along the line H. The card l6 may have the contour of two commodities arranged side-by-side. The third display card 18 is of M-shaped cross-section, and may have the contour of four commodities arranged side-byside. This card consists of four sections hingedly connected along the lines 19.

In assembling the structure, the card I5 is secured to the upper portion l I of the medial panel l9. While any suitable mode of engagement may be resorted to, I prefer to mount the card IE to the backing portion H by adhesive means; and the same mode of attachment is preferably employed in connection with the other display cards.

The card I6 is adhesively secured to the tabs M, the V-arms being, respectively, secured to these tabs.

Similarly, the card I8 is adhesively secured to the wings l2, but in this case only the legs of the M are thus attached.

The relationship of the parts, when the assembly is completed, is shown most clearly in Figures 3 and 4. It will be observed that the M- shaped display card I8 is arranged beneath and slightly in front of the V-shaped display card IS, the latter in turn being arranged beneath and slightly in front of the flat display card l5. This stepped, superposed, tiered relationship of the display cards results in a depiction of a series of commodities, such as the bottles shown, in an attractive and interesting pyramidal arrangement.

The parts are so proportioned that the device is capable of being collapsed from the set-up relationship of Figures 1 and 3 into a substantially flat condition. This collapsing of the structure is accomplished by adjusting the zigzag multiscction cards [6 and i8 into extended condition, whereby each of the sections of these cards assumes a position substantially parallel to the medial panel [0. When thus collapsed, the display device may be readily shipped or stored, or arranged in compact stacked relationship to other similar display devices.

When the device is to be used, no manipulations are necessary other than to swing the wings I2 forwardly, whereupon the various elements of the device immediately and automatically assume the set-up relationship shown in Figure 1. When thus set up, the device is stable and rugged and ready for immediate use.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 6-12,

the device embodies four tiers of display cards. At the top or peak, there is a single-section display card 2e. 2 Below it is a two-section display card 2! comprising the sections 22 and23 hinged together along the line 24, this card having a V-shaped cross-section.

Below the card 2| is a display card 25 comprising the four hinged sections 26, 21, 28, and 29. These sections are hinged together to define an M-cross-section.

The lowest display card of Figure 6 is designated by the reference numeral 30, and comprises the hinged sections 3l, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36. This card defines a cross-section which conforms to three contiguous Vs.

Each of the multi-section display cards is adapted to be arranged in set-up condition, as shown in Figure 6, with the sections in zigzag relationship. The cards are interconnected and supported as a collapsible unit by means of a backing element which is shown most clearly in Figure 9.

A single cardboard blank of suitable strength and character is provided with the medial vertical hinge 31, so that the backing has a crosssection which conforms substantially to an inverted V. At the upper portion of the backing, a wing 38 is hinged, as. at 39, to the body portion of the backing. This wing is adhesively secured to the back of the uppermost display card 20, as shown in Figure 8. Beneath the wing 38 the backing is provided with the wing pair 40 hinged to the body portion of the backing along the lines 4|. These wings are adhesively secured to the backs of the card sections 22 and 23.

Immediately beneath the Wings 48 the backing is provided with a horizontal hinge 42 which may take the form of a score line or the like, the purpose of this hinge being described hereinafter.

At the bottom of the backing a wing pair 43 is hinged to the body portion along the lines M; and immediately above these wings there is another pair of wings 45 hinged as at 46. The wing pair 43 is adhesively secured to' the backs of the card sections 3| and 36 as shown most clearly in Figure 10. The wings 45 are adhesively secured to the backs of the card sections 33 and 3 5.

The display card 25 is secured to the backing by adhesively securing the sections 26 and 29 directly to the portions 4'! of the backing, the portions 41 thus serving as a pair of wings engaging the outer sections of the four-section card.

Before describing the manner of using the device, I wish to point out that there is a notch 48 in the backing opposite to the wing 38.

When the device is set up, the parts assume the relationship of Figures 6, 7, and 10. The multi-section display cards are arranged in superposed stepped tiers,'thereby forming a sort of pyramidal structure which simulates a haphazard pyramidal stack of the commodities that are depicted. Each of the multi-section cards has a zigzag cross-section. The uppermost card 20 is caused to assume the relationship shown by engaging its bottom edge, within the notch 48.

The device may be collapsed in either of two ways. If it is desired, the collapsing may be effected in the manner indicated in Figure 12. This procedure involves an adjustment of the sections of each card into superposed relationship, it being understood that. the card 20 is first released from engagement with the notch 48.

If desired, the structure may be collapsed in the manner hereinbefore described in connection with Figure 4, whereby each display card is extended so as to bring the sections into alignment with each other. During this collapsing procedure, the card 20 automatically releases itself, by a sliding movement, from the notch 48.

Where the collapsing is eifected in the manner last described, it may be desirable to employ the hinge 42 for the purpose of making the collapsed structure more compact, thereby facilitating shipment and storage. Upon reference to Figure 11, it will be observed that the backing may be doubled upon itself along the hinge 42 when the device is collapsed. This brings the V- shaped card 2| and the single-section card 20, as a unit, into superposed relationship to the other display cards.

The folding action illustrated in Figure 11 may, if desired, be applied with equal facility to the device of Figures 1-5, and this possibility is illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. In Figure 13, I have used the same reference numerals as appear in Figure 2, and the structure is substantially the same as that of Figure 2, except that the tab portions M are reduced in length, as designated by the reference numeral I4. This shortening of the length of the tabs I4 is necessitated by the requirement that the score line or hinge 50 be arranged beneath the portions M, i. e., beneath the backing portions which support the display card l6.

Where the score line 50 is provided, the device may be collapsed in the manner shown in Figure 14, thus producing a more compact unit whose shipment and storage is simplified and rendered less expensive.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details, herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a cardboard display device of the character described, a series of successively longer display cards each of which comprises hinged sections arranged side-by-side in zigzag relation, said cards being arranged in superposed stepped tiers with each card above the next longer one, and a backing for interconnecting and supporting said cards as a collapsible unit, each section depicting a commodity such as a bottle and the unit thus simulating a pyramidal stack of said commodities.

2. In a cardboard display device, the combination of elements set forth in claim 1, in which said cards comprise two and four sections, respectively.

3. In a cardboard display device, the combination of elements set forth in claim 1, in which said cards comprise two and four sections, respectively, the two-section card defining a V- cross-section, and the four-section card defining an M-cross-section.

4. In a cardboard display device, the combination of elements set forth in claim 1, in which said cards comprise two, four, and six sections, respectively.

5. In a cardboard display device, the combination of elements set forth in claim 1, in which said cards comprise two, four, and six sections, respectively, the two-section card defining a V- cross-section, the four-section card defining an M-cross-section, and the six-section card defining a cross-section of three contiguous'Vs.

6. In a cardboard display device, the combination with the elements set forth in claim 1, of a single-section display card arranged at the peak of the unit.

7. In a cardboard display device, as set forth in claim 1, said backing comprising a single cardboard blank provided with angularly disposed wing pairs engaging said display cards, respectively.

8. In a cardboarddisplay device, as set forth in claim 1, said cards comprising two and four sections, respectively, and said backing comprising a single cardboard blank provided with angularly disposed wing pairs, one wing pair engaging the sections of the two-section card, another wing pair engaging the outer sections of the four-section card.

9. In a cardboard display device, as set forth in claim 1, said cards comprising two, four, and six sections, respectively, and said backing comprising a single cardboard blank provided with angularly disposed wing pairs, one wing pair engaging the sections of the two-section card, another wing pair engaging the outer sections of the four-section card, a third wing pair engaging the outer sections of the six-section card, and a fourth wing pair engaging the middle sections of said six-section card.

10. In a cardboard display device of the character described, a series of successively longer display cards each of which comprises hinged sections arranged side-by-side in zigzag relation, said cards being arranged in superposed stepped tiers with each card above the next longer one, an additional single-section display card arranged at the peak of the resultant pyramid, and a backing for interconnecting and supporting said cards as a collapsible unit, said backing comprising a single carboard blank having an upper portion engaging said single-section card, and angularly disposed wing pairs engaging multi-section display cards, respectively.

11. In a carboard display device of the character described, a display card of V-shaped crosssection comprising two hinged sections, a display card of M-shaped cross-section comprising four hinged sections, said cards being arranged in superposed stepped tiers with the V card above the M card, a single-section display card at the peak, and a backing for interconnecting and supporting said, cards as a collapsible unit, said backing comprising a single cardboard blank having an upper portion engaging said singlesection card and provided with angularly disposed wing pairs engaging said V and M cards, respectively, and a hinge in the backing along a horizontal line below the wing pair which engages the V card, whereby the single-section card and the V card may be folded as a unit into superposed relation to the M card when the device is collapsed.

12. In a cardboard display device of the character described, a display card of V-shaped crosssection comprising two hinged sections, a display card of M-shaped cross-section comprising four hinged sections, a display card of a cross-section conforming tothree contiguous Vs and comprising six hinged sections, said cards being arranged in superposed stepped tiers with the V card above the M card and the latter above the six-section card, a single section card at the peak, and a backing for interconnecting and supporting said, cards, as a collapsible unit, said backing comprising a single cardboard blank having an upper portion engaging said singlesection card and provided with angularly disposed wing pairs engaging the multi-section cards, respectively, and a hinge in the backing along a horizontal line below the wing pair which engages the V card, whereby the single-section card and the V card may be folded as a unit into superposed relation to the other cards when the device is collapsed.

13. In a cardboard display device of the character described, a display card of V-shaped crosssection comprising two hinged sections, a display card of M-shaped, cross-section comprising four hinged sections, a display card of a cross-section conforming to three contiguous Vs and comprising six hinged sections, said cards being arranged in superposed stepped tiers with the V card above the M card and the latter above: the six-section card, a single-section card at the peak, and a backing for interconnecting and supporting said cards as a collapsible unit, said backing comprising a single cardboard blank having a medial vertical hinge thereby defining an inverted V cross-section, a wing hinged to the backing at its upper end and engaging the single-section card, and wing pairs hinged to the backing and engaging the two-section and six-section cards, respectively, whereby the device may be collapsed into substantially flat condition by either extending the card sections into alignment or by collapsing them into superposed relationship.

l4. In a cardboard'display device of the character described, a display card having the contour of a commodity such as a bottle, a second display card of V-shaped cross-section and having the contour oi two such commodities sideby-sid-e, a third display card of M-shaped crosssection and having the contour of four such commodities side-by-side, and a backing adapted to support said display cards in superposed stepped relationship to simulate a pyramidal arrangement of the depicted commodities.

15. Ina cardboard display device of the character described, a display car-d having the contour of a commodity such as a bottle, a second display card of V-shaped cross-section and having the contour of two such commodities sideby-side, a third display card of M-shape-d crosssection and having the contour of four such commodities side-by-side, and a backing adapted to support said display cards in superposed stepped relationship to simulate a pyramidal arrangement of the depicted. commodities; said backing having an upper portion engaging the firstnamed display card, a medial portion engaging the V-shaped card, and a lower portion engaging the M-shaped card.

16. In a cardboard display device of the character described, a display card having the contour of a commodity such as a bottle, a second display card of V-shaped cross-section and having the contour of two such commodities sideby-side, a third display card of M-shaped crosssection and having the contour of four such commodities side-by-side, and a backing adapted to support said display cards in superposed stepped relationship .to simulate a pyramidal arrangement of the depicted commodities; said backing being formed of a single blank and comprising a medial panel whose upper end is secured to the first-named card, and wings hinged to said panel and engaging the V-shaped and M-shaped cards, respectively.

17. In a cardboard display device of the character described, a display card having the contour of a commodity such as a bottle, a second display card of V-shaped cross-section and having the contour of two such commodities sideby-side, a third display card of M-shaped crosssection and having. the contour of four such commodities side-by-side, and a backing adapted to support said display cards in superposed stepped relationship to simulate a pyramidal arrangement of the depicted commodities; said backing being formed of a single blank and comprising a medial panel whose upper end is secured to the first-named card, and wings hinged to said panel and engaging the V-shaped and M-shaped cards, respectively, said wings being so proportioned that the entire display device may be collapsed into substantially flat condition by adjusting the cards into planes substantially parallel to said medial panel.

18. In a cardboard display device of the character described, a backing formed of a single blank and comprising a medial panel, a pair of wings hinged to the lower portion of the panel, a pair of shorter wings hinged to the midportion of the panel, and tabs hinged to the lateral edges of the last-named wings, a display card secured to the upper portion of said panel, a second display card comprising two hinged sections defining a V cross-section, the V arms being secured to said tabs, respectively, and a third display card comprising four hinged sections defining an M cross-section, the M legs being secured to the lower wings, respectively; said elements being so proportioned that the device may be collapsed into substantially flat condition by adjusting the card sections into planes substantially parallel to said medial panel.

19. In a cardboard display device, the combination set forth in claim 18, said first-named display card having the contour of a commodity such as a bottle, said second display card having the contour of two such commodities side-byside, said third display card having the contour of four such commodities side-by-side, the display device thus being adapted to simulate a pyramidal arrangement of the depicted commodities.

JOHN V. HORR. 

